Virgin Bet Grand National Trial |
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| Grade 3 Handicap Chase 15:15 Haydock Park £100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1  |
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1 Yeah Man 9/2J
2 My Silver Lining 11/2
3 Iron Bridge 5/1
10 ran NR: Fontaine Collonges Distances: 1½l, 6l, 1½l
Time: 8m 33.90s (slow by 1m 10.90s)
The first 🇮🇪 trained winner of @haydockraces Grand National Trial in 2️⃣9️⃣years is #GoffsGrad Yeah Man 🎊@gavincromwell1
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) February 17, 2024
The son of @coolmorestud Westerner was sold at #GoffsPunchestown by @MonbegStables Cormac Doyle to his trainer 👏pic.twitter.com/o8Cs3SitHu
Gavin Cromwell's Yeah Man produced a dour staying performance in challenging conditions under the guidance of jockey Sean Flanagan.
Previously a close second to Victtorino in Ascot’s Silver Cup, Yeah Man entered the £100,000 feature as a 9-2 joint-favorite.
The three-and-a-half-mile contest was grueling, testing the mettle of both horse and rider. As the race unfolded, it became a head-to-head battle between the bold-jumping grey My Silver Lining and Yeah Man, who closely tracked the mare into the home straight.
At the final fences, My Silver Lining appeared to have the advantage, but Cromwell’s charge rallied late and surged ahead, crossing the finish line with a length and a half lead.
This breakthrough win at Haydock marks a significant achievement for both Cromwell and Flanagan.
While Yeah Man won’t compete in the Randox Grand National at Aintree, Cromwell has his sights set on the Irish equivalent. The race showcased determination, strategic riding, and the thrill of victory
He said: “I’m delighted with that and I think he deserved it after a couple of defeats at Ascot.
“We weren’t sure about the ground, but he got through it well. I’d say we’ll go for the Irish Grand National now. He wouldn’t have got into it off his current mark, but he will get in now.
“I think we’ll skip Cheltenham, he may have an entry in the Kim Muir but I’d say he’s most likely to go for the Irish Grand National.
“I’ve never had a winner at Haydock before and I’ve never been. It’s a great result.”
Flanagan said: “It was a very good performance and I’ve actually fallen off him after the line. He just stood on himself and I went over his head.
“The only worry we had was the ground. He had one run on it last year (and disappointed), but I rode him that day and things just weren’t right for him on the day anyway and he didn’t finish out.
“He was duly rewarded today as he’s been knocking on the door and tipped up (at Ascot) two runs back.
“He jumped really well today, he’s a dour stayer and he’s done it really well.”
Grand National Trial
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Heavy
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Yeah Man 7 10-12 Gavin Cromwell Sean Flanagan 9/2J
2 1½ My Silver Lining 8 10-6 Emma Lavelle James Best 11/2
3 6 Iron Bridge 8 11-5 Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr 5/1
4 1½ Highland Hunter 11 11-10 Fergal O'Brien Mr Tom Broughton 18/1
5 2 Iwilldoit 11 12-0 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 13/2
6 10 Credo 9 10-11 Anthony Honeyball Rex Dingle 10/1
7 1 Snipe 7 10-3 Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell 13/2
8 8½ Chambard 12 11-12 Venetia Williams Miss Lucy Turner 28/1
9 14 Full Back 9 10-12 Gary Moore Caoilin Quinn 22/1
UR Famous Bridge 8 11-4 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan 9/2J
NR 5 Fontaine Collonges 9 11-5 Venetia Williams NON RUNNER
Grand National Trial Winners
2023 - QUICK WAVE (18/1)
2022 – BRISTOL DE MAI (11/2)
2021 - LORD DU MESNIL (8/1)
2020 – SMOOTH STEPPER (33/1)
2019 – ROBINSFIRTH (8/1)
2018 – YALA ENKI (8/1)
2017 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (8/1)
2016 – BISHOPS ROAD (13/2)
2015 – LIE FORRIT (8/1)
2014 – RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (16/1)
2013 – WELL REFRESHED (9/2 fav)
2012 – GILES CROSS (4/1 fav)
2011 – SILVER BY NATURE (10/1)
2010 – SILVER BY NATURE (7/1)
2009 – RAMBLING MINSTER (18/1)
2008 – MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (17/2)
2007 – HELTORNIC (12/1)
2006 – OSSMOSES (14/1)
2005 – FOREST GUNNER (12/1)
2004 – JURANCON II (10/1)
2003 - SHOTGUN WILLY (10/1)
